Forgive me, my father--this is the only way! Know you, now and forever, that I am Thor, son of Odin, God of Thunder! 'Tis an immortal of Asgard whom you love, Jane Foster--and who truly loves you, as well!

Having returned to New York City, Thor reads newspaper reports about the being known as the Demon that has been amassing an army in the jungles of Asia. He is soon confronted by average citizens who wonder aloud if Thor will tackle the Demon in the future. Thor takes the time to cheer up a little girl who's father has been injured in the Vietnam conflict and tells her to wish her father well before departing. He travels to the hospital where Jane Foster is recovering from smoke inhilation, and listening from her window hears the doctors talk of her condition, and that she is not getting better, but worse.

Meanwhile, in Asia, the Demon continues to travel across the land, attacking cities with his ever growing army, regardless of the resistance the Norn Stone powered Demon manages to withstand all attacks made upon him and crush his foes. While back in the States, Thor has resumed his civilian guise of Donald Blake and entered into Jane Foster's room. At first Jane figures that Blake is nothing more but an illusion, but realizes that it's really him. Don comes to learn that Jane is suffering a nervous breakdown due to Blake's constant disappearances and decides that regardless of what may happen, he reveal to Jane that he is secretly the mighty Thor. Changing into his Godly identity, Jane now knows Thor's double identity, Thor changes back to his mortal guise and tells Jane that he has to go but will return the next day. While on Asgard, Odin witnesses Thor exposing his identity to Jane and is furious and begins contemplating a fitting punishment for this defile.

Back on Earth, Donald Blake tends to a patient who brings up the current news regarding the Demon's invasion of Asia, after hearing radio reports later Blake finds himself torn between his promise not to abandon Jane and his duty as Thor and realizes that he cannot shirk his Godly duties and decides to fly to Asia to deal with the Demon, travelling across the Earth faster than ever before, causing a sonic boom of epic proportions.

This sound is hear all the way on Mount Olympus, where Zeus decides that it is time once again for the Olympian Gods turn their attentions back to Earth. Going to his son Hercules who is sparring with Atlas, Zeus breaks up the fight and and charges Hercules with a mission to go to Earth and walk among mortal man.

And once more on Earth, the Demon's forces attack yet another village, however this time they find that Thor is waiting inside for them. Thor confronts the demon and recognizes the Norn Stone that he has tied around his neck. Thor then challenges the Demon to a battle and the two begin a fierce fight.

Detecting Thor's ship, Queen Ula of the Flying Trolls, a group of insectile armour wearing Trolls that live in the giant Stone Hive of Thryheim, Ula sends out a scouting party to determine how best to raid the ship.

Meanwhile, aboard Thor's ship, Balder the Brave has collapsed in exhaustion following using a giant horn to destroy the Jaws of the Dragon in the Sea of Fear. He is brought down from the ships Masthead by Thor and nursed back to consciousness by Fandral and Hogun. Balder's revival is met with great fanfare from all except Loki, Magrat and Kroda, and they send a spy to watch Thor further.

In another exercise in braggary, Volstagg decides he too will blow the great horn, but finds that in spite of his large girth he cannot muster significant strength to cause it to make sound. However, he is unaware of this due to the buzzing of the coming Troll horde. When all the men on the ship suddenly draw their weapons to greet with coming army, Volstagg (unaware of what's approaching behind him) thinks that his fellows are drawing their swords against him and reverts to his usual cowardly and self-preserving character.

This story is continued next issue...

Notes

The Atlas appearing in this issue should not be confused with the Titan Atlas, the one holding up the skies on his shoulders.